The Chief Manager (Education) of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) was showcaused after the West Bengal BJP criticised the cancellation of school holiday for Biswakarma Puja on September 17 and allocating that holiday to Eid ul Fitr, from March 31 to April 1, for Hindi medium KMC primary (KMCP) schools.
On Tuesday, a notice issued and signed by Chief Manager (Education) Siddhartha Sankar Dhara read, “There will be no holiday for Biswakarma Puja on September 17 2025 as one day from its allocated holiday has been adjusted to extend the Eid ul Fitr holiday.”
A notice from the KMC later in the day withdrew Dhara’s notice. “(A) memorandum…regarding the holiday list for Hindi Medium KMCP Schools was issued without obtaining any concurrence from the competent authority of the KMC…The KMC clarifies that the original memorandum…stands cancelled as it was issued without the KMC authority’s permission. The matter has been taken seriously, and necessary action is being initiated against the officer responsible for this lapse. A revised and accurate order will be issued in due course maintaining the State Government’s Holiday List as per (the) norm. We request everyone to refrain from any speculation or spreading any misinformation,” it read.
Sandipan Saha, Minister-in-Charge for education at the KMC told mediapersons, “Siddhartha Sankar Dhara has been showcaused. He cannot make any policy decisions. He does not have any jurisdiction to issue such a circular. The moment the circular came to our knowledge, it was cancelled. This is a very serious issue and whatever disciplinary action is required to be taken, we will take it. He has done it on his own — the question is what were his intentions?”
Mayor of Kolkata Firhad Hakim told mediapersons, “Our holidays are decided according to the government calendar. I have asked the Municipal Commissioner to ask the Chief Manager why such a notice was issued. He probably did it to instigate communal issues. But West Bengal believes in peace and harmony. All religious occasions are celebrated.”
Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, “Let them give four days of holiday for Eid, no problem. But why cancel the holiday for Biswakarma puja? Why do they (the TMC) always attack Hindus?”